A new poll from Marquette Law School highlights a complicated shift in Republican sentiment regarding the economy. While 76 percent of Republicans now say the country is headed in the right direction under President Donald Trump, only 27 percent rate the economy as excellent or good. This marks an improvement from late 2024 when Republican confidence in the economy was even lower, but it also signals lingering uncertainty about inflation, job growth and the impact of Trump's economic policies.Why It MattersSince Trump resumed office, the U.S. economy has faced significant challenges. Inflation rates have remained persistently high, and unemployment figures, while stable, have not shown substantial improvement. These economic indicators have far-reaching implications, affecting everything from consumer purchasing power to business investment decisions.A new poll from Marquette shows Republican sentiment is shifting favorably for Trump with 76 percent of Republicans saying the country is headed in the right direction. However, few Republicans view the economy as excellent or good, marking a cautious optimism amidst ongoing economic concerns.What To KnowThe Marquette Law School Poll, conducted between January 27 and February 5, provides insight into public opinion on various Trump administration policies.Only 27 percent of Republicans view the economy as excellent or good, while a significant majority of 73 percent see it as not so good or poor.However, this marks a positive shift from previous results, where negative sentiment was even higher. For instance, in October 2024, over 90 percent of Republicans rated the economy as not so good or poor.Proponents of Trump's efforts argue that despite inflation remaining a concern, there are clear signs of improvement.Parker Sheppard, research fellow for The Heritage Foundation's Center for Data Analysis, told Newsweek, that Republicans see a strengthening economy, pointing to a recent drop in unemployment and wage growth exceeding expectations. He emphasized that growing wages will help Americans manage the cost of living, which was a top concern in the last election. Additionally, he credited the Trump administration for swiftly identifying spending cuts to curb inflation.However, some experts point to ongoing economic fragility that may be eroding confidence among Republicans. Christian Weller, senior fellow for the Center for American Progress told Newsweek while inflation alone may not shift public opinion, factors like rising housing costs due to deportations and high interest rates could deepen dissatisfaction. The question remains whether Republicans will attribute economic struggles to Trump's policies or maintain partisan loyalty.What People Are SayingParker Sheppard, research fellow for The Heritage Foundation's Center for Data Analysis, told Newsweek: "The poll shows that [the] public, and Republicans in particular, see a strengthening economy. The last jobs report showed unemployment ticking down and average hourly wages growing faster than expected. Growing wages will help the public keep up with the cost of living, which was the top issue for voters in the last election. The public knows that getting inflation under control requires Washington to stop spending money that it doesn't have, and the Trump administration has made quick progress in identifying spending cuts."Christian Weller, senior fellow for the Center for American Progress, told Newsweek: "A lot of attitudes towards the economy are driven by partisanship. ...You like the economy when your guy is in office and you don't like it when your guy is not in office, and that's true for Democrats and Republicans. It's more so the case for Republicans than for Democrats, but that partisanship has been around and has worsened.""If inflation stays where it is and you're okay with it, your attitude toward the economy shouldn't change. But if then housing becomes more expensive, how much will that influence? ...Housing becomes more expensive because of deportations, because interest rates don't go down because inflation stays high. This should worsen people's judgment about the economy as it will not improve as much as it otherwise would.But, will Republicans put the blame where it belongs, with Donald Trump and his policies, or will their partisan bias prevent them from blaming him? This would be the reverse of what happened when President Biden was in office and he did not get full credit for a sharply improving economy after the pandemic."Alex Beene, financial literacy instructor for the University of Tennessee at Martin, told Newsweek: "The mixed results on the perception of Republicans to the country's current economic picture reflects the emotions many are feeling. For the future, there is an optimism among the party's supporters that the Trump administration can turn things around and return Americans to the financial situations they had during his first term.However, given the recent headwinds of inflation not slowing down as much as expected and impending tariffs on certain goods and services, it's easy to see why some Republicans are not feeling as good in recent weeks about the economy. It remains to be seen if this short-term negativity and long-term optimism will be justified."Kevin Thompson, founder and CEO of 9i Capital Group, told Newsweek: "To say it is positive or negative would depend on one's perspective. For Republicans, the rise in those feeling 'not so good' about the economy could signal growing concerns that the administration's policies are directly affecting their personal finances which would be negative.Given that Republicans control all three branches, you might expect optimism about the economy. But in reality, grocery prices are still rising, and job losses mixed with joblessness continues across the country. Many of my LinkedIn followers have shared frustrations about how long it's taking to find work, with some searching since the spring of 2024 and going through multiple interviews without success.There seems to be an underlying fragility in the economy. When you factor in higher costs across the board, persistent unemployment, and rising joblessness, it creates a recipe for economic distress—likely explaining why 63% now feel the economy is 'not so good.'"What Happens NextLooking ahead, the administration will need to address these economic concerns. Efforts to curb inflation are expected to be a priority, potentially through monetary policy adjustments or fiscal measures. Trade negotiations may also become central, as the administration seeks to balance protectionist policies to maintain healthy international trade relationships.